THE BIG PAYBACK: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop
by Dan Charnas
New York: New American Library/Penguin, 2010

Click here for complete list of INTERVIEWS for the entire book.

Click here for complete BIBLIOGRAPHY for the entire book.

ENDNOTES

ALBUM ONE: Numbers Runners

Page 3

“The Man who invented American money…”

Most of my information on Alexander Hamilton was gleaned from Ron Chernow’s excellent biography, Alexander Hamilton, (see Bibliography) as well as a 2005 exhibit at the New York Historical Society.

Page 5-7

“Ira Jack Allen had come to Harlem…”

Section on Jack Allen’s story is from a personal interview with Mr. Allen.

Backstory and detail on the numbers game came from “The Black Mafia Moves Into the Numbers Racket” by Fred J. Cook, New York Times Magazine, 4 Apr. 1971, as well as a personal interview with Diane Harris.

Page 7-9

“A decade later, thirteen-year-old Anthony Holloway…”

Detail on the personal story of Anthony “DJ Hollywood” Holloway came from a personal interview with Mr. Holloway.

Frankie Crocker quotes are from recordings made of Crocker’s broadcasts on WWRL, some of which are available at the following web pages:

Rowe, Cleo. “Tribute to Frankie Crocker – R&B radio online.” R&B radio online – Powerhouse Radio USA – classic soul – pop – blues – dance music. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2011. <http://www.powerhouseradio.com/frankiecrocker.html>.

Duke, Charles. “Frankie Crocker was an ORIGINAL .” Soul-Patrol: Black Music, Black History, Classic Soul Music, R&B, Jazz, Blues, Funk Music, Southern Soul Music, Neo Soul, Motown, Stax, Black Rock, Black Radio, RRHOF, Music, Doo Wop, Disco, CLASSIC HIP HOP, NuSoul, Rare Grooves, Slow Jams, Nu Soul, RnB/R. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2011. <http://www.soul-patrol.com/crocker.htm>.

Page 9-13

“It may have been mere coincidence…”

Much of the radio history for this section was available in Nelson George’s The Death of Rhythm and Blues (see Bibliography) and from this author’s own 1989 paper “Musical Apartheid in America: The Sociocultural Ramifications of Racial Segmentation in the Music Industry” (see Bibliography).

Page 13-15

“The nightclubs where bands played live…”

Detail on the personal story of Anthony “DJ Hollywood” Holloway came from an interview with Mr. Holloway, and from the following web pages:

Skillz, Mark. “Hip Hop 101A: Cheeba, Cheeba Y’all!.” Hip Hop 101A. N.p., 8 Sept. 2007. Web. 9 Jan. 2011. <http://hiphop101a.blogspot.com/2007/09/cheeba-cheeba-yall.html>.

“DJs: Gone But Not Forgotten.” DJs: Gone But Not Forgotten. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2011. <http://ped111251.tripod.com/francis.htm>.

Broughton, Frank. “Francis Grasso | DJHistory.com.” DJHistory.com. N.p., 2 Apr. 1999. Web. 9 Jan. 2011. <http://www.djhistory.com/interviews/francis-grasso>.

Page 18-20

“If you wanted to see DJ Hollywood play…”

This section on the birth of hip-hop culture in the Bronx was pieced together from a multiplicity of sources, including:

Chang, Jeff. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop : A History of the Hip Hop Generation. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2005.

Kugelberg, Johan. Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop. Hong Kong: Universe, 2007.

Yes Yes Y’All: The Experience Music Project Oral History of Hip-Hop’s First Decade. New York and Washington D.C.: Da Capo Press, 2002.

Toop, David. Rap Attack 3 African Rap to Global Hip Hop, Edition: 3. London: Serpents Tail, 2000.

Ritz, David. The adventures of Grandmaster Flash: my life, my beats. New York: Broadway Books, 2008. Print.

…as well as personal interviews with Johann Kugelberg and Terry “T La Rock” Keaton.

Page 21-24

“They called him Sal…”

This section on Sal Abbatiello and the birth of the DIsco Fever was culled from personal interviews with Sal Abbatiello, George “Sweet G” Godfrey, and Anthony “DJ Hollywood” Holloway.

Page 24

“On July 13, 1977…”

This section on the New York City Blackout of 1977 was culled from a multiplicity of news accounts in local papers, as well as personal interviews with Sal Abbatiello, George “Sweet G” Godfrey, Grandmaster Caz and Anthony “DJ Hollywood” Holloway.

Page 24-27

“When Nick deKrechewo…”

This section on the birth of Downstairs Records was culled from personal interviews with Downstairs founder Nick deKrechewo, Paul Winley, Freddy Fresh, and J.B. Moore, as well as some passages from David Toop’s Rap Attack (see Bibliography).

Page 28-31

“‘Rhymin’ and Rappin’,’ by Paulette and Tanya Winley…”

This section on the emergence of the very first rap records, was culled from personal interviews with Gerry Thomas, Bill Curtis, Jules Rifkind, Freddy Fresh and J.B. Moore; as well as Freddy Fresh’s The Rap Records (see Bibliography)

Page 31-32

“Dear Lord, help us through…”

The details about Sylvia Robinson’s religious picnic and her financial and personal troubles were gleaned from personal interviews with Diane Harris and Donna Ward, as well as Robinson’s own recollections in the following interviews and articles:

Robinson, Sylvia & Joey. Interview by Bill Adler. Personal interview. Circa 2003.

Miller, Jr., Sidney. “Sylvia Robinson, the queen of rap.” Black Radio Exclusive 13 Feb. 1981: 6. Print.

“Sylvia’s coming back.” Ebony Jan. 1962: 62. Print.

Page 32-33

“When she returned home…”

This section on Sylvia Robinson’s first encounter with hip-hop at Harlem world was culled from personal interviews with Diane Harris, Donna Ward and Alonzo Brown, as well as Robinson’s own recollections in the following interviews and articles:

Robinson, Sylvia & Joey. Interview by Bill Adler. Personal interview. Circa 2003.

Sugar Hill Gang, Joey Robinson & Big Bank Hank. Interview by Jim Fricke. Personal interview. 24 Mar. 2001.

Daly, Steven. “Hip-hop happens.” Vanity Fair Nov. 2005: 250. Print.

Wilmer, Val. “Fur-Wrap.” New Musical Express 11 Dec. 1982: 8. Print.

Page 33-37

“‘Little Sylvia’ was only thirteen…”

Sylvia and Joe Robinson’s personal and business back-story was provided by personal interviews with Diane Harris, Donna Ward, Gary Harris, Bill Adler and the following articles and interviews:

Robinson, Sylvia & Joey. Interview by Bill Adler. Personal interview. Circa 2003.

“”Sugar Ray” aide Foch Allen divorced by singer.” Jet. 11 June 1953: 27. Print.

Wald, Gayle. Shout, sister, shout!: the untold story of rock-and-roll trailblazer Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Boston: Beacon Press, 2007. Print.

Daly, Steven. “Hip-hop happens.” Vanity Fair Nov. 2005: 250. Print.

Feldman, Jim. “Sugar Hill Records, rapping up music.” Rock & Soul June 1983: 46. Print.

George, Nelson, and Brian Chin. “Sugar Hill [Special Supplement].” Record World 1 Aug. 1981: 1-34. Print.

“Sylvia’s coming back.” Ebony Jan. 1962: 62. Print.

“Season 2; Episode 27.” Cornelius, Don. Soul Train. Syndicated. 21 Apr. 1973. Television.

Page 37-40

“Sylvia Robinson needed to find…”

The details of the creation of “Rapper’s Delight” were gleaned from personal interviews with Diane Harris and Donna Ward, and the following articles and interviews:

Robinson, Sylvia & Joey. Interview by Bill Adler. Personal interview. Circa 2003.

Sugar Hill Gang, Joey Robinson & Big Bank Hank. Interview by Jim Fricke. Personal interview. 24 Mar. 2001.

Daly, Steven. “Hip-hop happens.” Vanity Fair Nov. 2005: 250. Print.

Feldman, Jim. “Sugar Hill Records, rapping up music.” Rock & Soul June 1983: 46. Print.

Page 40-41

“‘Hey, movie star’…”

This section on the struggle to promote “Rapper’s Delight” was culled from personal interviews with Diane Harris, Donna Ward, Mr. Magic, Tyrone Williams and Sal Abatiello, as well as the following articles:

Daly, Steven. “Hip-hop happens.” Vanity Fair Nov. 2005: 250. Print.

Miller, Jr., Sidney. “Sylvia Robinson, the queen of rap.” Black Radio Exclusive 13 Feb. 1981: 6. Print.

Page 41-43

“Grandmaster Flash was sitting with Cowboy…”

This section on the hip-hop community’s reaction to “Rapper’s Delight” was culled from personal interviews with Grandmaster Caz, DJ Hollywood, and the following sources:

Morrow, Chris, and Russell Simmons. Do You!: 12  Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success. New York: Gotham, 2007. Print.

Simmons, Russell. Life and Def : Sex, Drugs, Money, and God. 1st ed. New York: Crown, 2001. Print.

Ritz, David. The adventures of Grandmaster Flash:  my life, my beats. New York: Broadway Books, 2008. Print.

Yes Yes Y’All: The Experience Music Project Oral History of Hip-Hop’s First Decade. New York and Washington D.C.: Da Capo Press, 2002. Print.

Page 43-44

“Radio came around…”

This section on the explosion of “Rapper’s Delight” was culled from personal interviews with Sal Abbatiello, J.B. Moore, Tom Silverman as well as the following sources:

Daly, Steven. “Hip-hop happens.” Vanity Fair Nov. 2005: 250. Print.

Miller, Jr., Sidney. “Sylvia Robinson, the queen of rap.” Black Radio Exclusive 13 Feb. 1981: 6. Print.

Robinson, Sylvia & Joey. Interview by Bill Adler. Personal interview. Circa 2003.

Sugar Hill Gang, Joey Robinson & Big Bank Hank. Interview by Jim Fricke. Personal interview. 24 Mar. 2001.

Chart data: Billboard Magazine and www.recordresearch.com

Page 44-45

“It wasn’t just the DJs…”

This section on the birth of Enjoy Records and the emergence of more “rapping records” was culled from personal interviews with Bobby Robinson, DJ Hollywood, Freddy Fresh and the following sources:

Toop, David. Rap Attack 3 African Rap to Global Hip Hop, Edition: 3. London: Serpents Tail, 2000. Print.

Ritz, David. The adventures of Grandmaster Flash:  my life, my beats. New York: Broadway Books, 2008. Print.

Fresh, Freddy. The Rap Records 2004 Edition. Hagerstown: Nerby Publishing Llc, 2004. Print.

George, Nelson. “Rapping records flooding stores in N.Y. market.” Billboard 22 Dec. 1979: 37. Print.

Credit data: www.discogs.com

Page 45-50

“If you worked at Billboard magazine…”

This section on the emergence of Kurtis Blow and Russell Simmons was culled from personal interviews with Robert “Rocky” Ford, Jr., JB Moore, Russell Simmons, Kurtis Blow, Nick deKrechewo, Joseph “Run” Simmons, Cory Robbins, and Jules Rifkind, as well as the following sources:

George, Nelson. Hip Hop America. Boston: Penguin (Non-Classics), 1999. Print.

George, Nelson, and Brian Chin. “Sugar Hill [Special Supplement].” Record World 1 Aug. 1981: 1-34. Print.

Morrow, Chris, and Russell Simmons. Do You!: 12  Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success. New York: Gotham, 2007. Print.

Simmons, Russell. Life and Def : Sex, Drugs, Money, and God. 1st ed. New York: Crown, 2001. Print.

Page 50-52

“When Joe Robinson saw that Bobby…”

This section on the reign of Sugar Hill Records was culled from personal interviews with Bobby Robinson, Aaron Fuchs, Sal Abbatiello, Diane Harris, Donna Ward and Gary Harris, as well as the following sources:

Ritz, David. The adventures of Grandmaster Flash:  my life, my beats. New York: Broadway Books, 2008. Print.

Toop, David. Rap Attack 3 African Rap to Global Hip Hop, Edition: 3. London: Serpents Tail, 2000. Print.

Miller, Jr., Sidney. “Sylvia Robinson, the queen of rap.” Black Radio Exclusive 13 Feb. 1981: 6. Print.

JayQuan. “GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME.” THE FOUNDATION. Circa 2006. Web. 9 Jan. 2011. <http://thafoundation.com/klblanc.htm>.

George, Nelson, and Brian Chin. “Sugar Hill [Special Supplement].” Record World 1 Aug. 1981: 1-34. Print.

Wilmer, Val. “Fur-Wrap.” New Musical Express 11 Dec. 1982: 8. Print.

Page 52-53

“In the Sugar Hill of her own making…”

This section about the disposition of the Sugar Hill founders to hip-hop music was culled from personal interviews with Diane Harris and Donna Ward, as well as the following sources:

Toop, David. Rap Attack 3 African Rap to Global Hip Hop, Edition: 3. London: Serpents Tail, 2000. Print.

George, Nelson, and Brian Chin. “Sugar Hill [Special Supplement].” Record World 1 Aug. 1981: 1-34. Print.

Wilmer, Val. “Fur-Wrap.” New Musical Express 11 Dec. 1982: 8. Print.

Page 53-58

“To Fred Theopholis Brathwaite…”

This section on the background of “Fab 5” Freddy Brathwaite and the backstory of the song “Rapture” by Blondie was culled from personal interviews with Fred Brathwaite and Michael Holman, as well as the following sources:

Stein, Judith. The world of Marcus Garvey: race and class in modern society. 1986. Reprint. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1991. Print.

Chang, Jeff. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop :  A History of the Hip Hop Generation. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2005. Print.

Smith, Howard, and Cathy Cox. “Brathwaite: There’s money in them there walls.” Village Voice [New York] 12 Feb. 1979, n/a ed., sec. n/a: 30. Print.

“MTV Playlist August 1st, 1981 – Stereogum.” Indie Music News, MP3 Downloads, Music Videos, Reviews – Stereogum. N.p., 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 9 Jan. 2011. <http://stereogum.com/2995/mtv_playlist_august_1st_1981/video/>.

Sales data: www.riaa.org

Chart data: Billboard and www.recordresearch.com

Page 58-59

“Blondie and Fred Brathwaite actually helped…”

This section on the first network television profile of hip-hop culture was culled from personal interviews with Danny Schechter and Fred Brathwaite, as well as the following sources:

“Season 6; episode 10.” Michaels, Lorne. Saturday Night Live. NBC. 14 Feb. 1981. Television.

“Rappin To The Beat.” Schechter, Danny. 20/20. ABC. 1981. Television.

Page 59-61

“The first rap records were released…”

This section on the tension between the rapping DJs of the discos and the hip-hop DJs and MCs of the Bronx, and its ramifications for the future of the music, was culled from personal interviews with DJ Hollywood, Fred Brathwaite, Steve Greenberg and from the following sources:

Yes Yes Y’All: The Experience Music Project Oral History of Hip-Hop’s First Decade. New York and Washington D.C.: Da Capo Press, 2002. Print.

Magazine, Vibe. The Vibe History of Hip Hop. 1st ed ed. new york: Three Rivers Press, 1999. Print.

Chang, Jeff. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop :  A History of the Hip Hop Generation. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2005. Print.

Kugelberg, Johan. Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop. Hong Kong: Universe, 2007. Print.

Wild Style. Dir. Charlie Ahearn. Perf. Easy A.D., A.J., Almighty K.G.. Rhino Theatrical, 1983. DVD.

Fresh, Freddy. The Rap Records 2004 Edition. Hagerstown: Nerby Publishing Llc, 2004. Print.

Credit data: www.discogs.com

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